Holder

ABSTRACT

A holder, in helix form, has an opening in communication with a helix interior. The helix may be capable conforming to the shape of an article to be carried at least partially within the interior. Applying a strain to the helix causes the helix to grip the article. The gripping by the helix may be reduced or eliminated by applying a compressive force to the helix.

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of prior U.S. utility applicationSer. No. 14/084,577 filed Nov. 19, 2013 entitled Holder.

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH

Not applicable.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The embodiments described herein relate to a holder having a helix form.The holder may be used to carry an article by fixing on a person or onan object. The holder may be used to free a person's hands for tasksother than carrying an article while allowing for both security of thearticle and ease of access to the article when carrying it.

BACKGROUND

Articles may be carried on a person, for example, in a pocket. Articlesmay be carried in an object, for example, a purse, briefcase orbackpack. Articles carried on a person or in an object may include, forexample, a lighter, a case for carrying smoking accessories, acigarette, an electronic cigarette, a cell phone, a tablet, a writingutensil, a bottle, a can, a tube, a case, a flashlight, a pocket knife,a wallet, a hair brush, or a hair dryer.

Carrying articles in a pocket frees a person's hands allowing the personto use the hands for other tasks. The article held in a pocket may beaccessible. However, articles carried in pockets can slip out of thepocket and be lost. Additionally, it may be difficult to access articlesin pockets when sitting.

An article may be carried more securely in a purse or bag. Although moresecure, the article may also be less accessible when needed if heldwithin an inner or outer pocket of the bag.

BRIEF SUMMARY

A holder, in helix form, has an opening that leads into a helixinterior. The helix interior is capable of receiving at least a portionof an article to be carried. The helix may be capable of conforming tothe shape of an article to be carried at least partially within thehelix interior.

The helix has a long axis and is capable of changing dimension when aforce is applied to at least a portion of the helix. The force may be astrain or a compression of at least a portion of the helix. Thedirection of the strain or compression is substantially in the directionof the long axis.

For example, the dimension of the helix interior may be reduced when aforce is applied to the helix. For example, strain (such as a tensileforce) may be applied in the direction of the long axis. The dimensionof the helix interior may be enlarged when compression is applied to atleast a portion of the helix in the direction of the long axis.

When the helix is adapted to conform to the shape of an article locatedat least partially within the helix interior, the helix may exert agripping force on that article when a strain is applied to the helix.The gripping force may be reduced or eliminated by applying acompressive force to the helix.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there is shown in thedrawings one or more embodiments that are exemplary; it beingunderstood, however, that this disclosure is not intended to be limitedto the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown.

The figures shown in this patent document contain material which issubject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection tothe facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or thepatent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Officepatent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rightswhatsoever.

FIG. 1 is a side view of an embodiment of a holder formed from arectangular strip.

FIG. 2 is a side view of an embodiment with a strain applied to thehelix in the direction of the long axis and resulting reduced dimensionof the helix interior.

FIG. 3 is a side view of an embodiment with a compressive force appliedto the helix in the direction of the long axis of the helix andresulting enlarged dimension of the helix interior.

FIG. 4 is a bottom view of an embodiment having a rectangular interiorshape with a strain applied to the helix and resulting reduced dimensionof the helix interior.

FIG. 5 is a bottom view of an embodiment having a circular interiorshape with a strain applied to the helix and resulting reduced dimensionof the helix interior.

FIG. 6A is a bottom view of an embodiment having an oval interior shapewith a strain applied to the helix and resulting reduced dimension ofthe helix interior.

FIG. 6B is a bottom view of an embodiment having an oval interior shapewith compression applied to the helix and resulting increased dimensionof the helix interior.

FIG. 7 is a side view of an embodiment for holding a lighter.

FIG. 8 is a side view of an embodiment of a holder without edges andinstead having a smooth, continuous surface.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

An embodiment of the holder formed from a rectangular strip is depictedin FIG. 1. The embodiment has a helix form. The term helix is usedherein to refer to a structure produced by a length of material wound toform an interior space.

The embodiment shown in FIG. 1 is formed from a rectangular strip. Theembodiment has a helix inside surface 2, a helix outside surface 3, ahelix opening 5 leading into the helix interior 4, a first end 1, and asecond end 6. The embodiment is comprised of at least one turn 8. Turnsare separated by a space 9 or spaces, depending upon the location of theturn. The embodiment in FIG. 1 has a helix long axis direction shown as10. The second end 6 is adapted with a hole 7 as the fixing element toaid in fixing the holder on a person or object. The embodiment in FIG. 1has edges, for example, 11.

Referring now to FIG. 2, the helix may change dimension upon applicationof a strain to at least a portion of the helix in the direction of thelong axis. FIG. 2 depicts application of a strain to the entire helix inthe direction of the long axis. The dashed lines show an increase in thelength of the helix and a decrease in the size of the helix interiorspace upon application of the strain. Strain may be measured in poundsper square inch (psi). Pounds means foot-pounds.

In various embodiments, the strain needed to cause a change in thelength of the helix may be at least 0.1 psi. All individual values andsubranges from equal to or greater than 0.1 psi are included herein anddisclosed herein. For example, the amount of strain may be equal to orgreater than 0.1 psi, or in the alternative, greater than or equal to0.2 psi, or in the alternative, greater than or equal to 0.3 psi, or inthe alternative, greater than or equal to 0.4 psi, or in thealternative, greater than or equal to 0.5 psi, or in the alternative,greater than or equal to 0.6 psi, or in the alternative, greater than orequal to 0.7 psi, or in the alternative, greater than or equal to 0.8psi, or in the alternative, greater than or equal to 0.9 psi, or in thealternative, greater than or equal to 1.0 psi.

Referring now to FIG. 3, the helix may change dimension upon applicationof a compressive force to the helix. FIG. 3 depicts application of acompressive force to the entire helix in the direction of the long axis.The dashed lines show a decrease in the length of the helix and anincrease in the size of the helix interior upon application of thecompressive force. Compressive force may be expressed in psi. In variousembodiments, the compressive force needed to cause a change in thelength of the helix may be at least 0.1 pound per square inch. Allindividual values and subranges from equal to or greater than 0.1 psiare included herein and disclosed herein. For example, the amount ofcompressive force may be equal to or greater than 0.1 psi, or in thealternative, greater than or equal to 0.2 psi, or in the alternative,greater than or equal to 0.3 psi, or in the alternative, greater than orequal to 0.4 psi, or in the alternative, greater than or equal to 0.5psi, or in the alternative, greater than or equal to 0.6 psi, or in thealternative, greater than or equal to 0.7 psi, or in the alternative,greater than or equal to 0.8 psi, or in the alternative, greater than orequal to 0.9 psi, or in the alternative, greater than or equal to 1.0psi.

In some embodiments, the helix interior shape may be circular,rectangular, square, or pentagonal or any other shape suitable forcarrying an article. FIG. 4 depicts a bottom view of an embodiment andhelix interior 4 having a rectangular interior shape. The dashed lineshows a reduced size of the helix interior upon application of a strainto all, or a portion of, the helix. The arrows in FIG. 4 indicate thedirection of a gripping force generated when the strain is applied to atleast a portion of the helix in the direction of the long axis.

FIG. 5 depicts a bottom view of an embodiment and helix interior 4having a circular interior shape. The dashed line shows a reduced sizeof the helix interior upon application of a strain to all, or a portionof, the helix. The arrows in FIG. 5 indicate the direction of a grippingforce generated when the strain is applied to at least a portion of thehelix in the direction of the long axis.

FIG. 6A depicts a bottom view of an embodiment and helix interior 4having an oval interior shape. The dashed lines show a reduced size ofthe helix interior upon application of a strain to all, or a portion of,the helix. The arrows shown pointing inwardly in FIG. 6A indicate thedirection of a gripping force when a strain is applied to at least aportion of the helix in the direction of the long axis.

The dashed line in FIG. 6B shows an increased size of the helix interiorupon application of compression to all, or a portion of, the ovalinterior shape. The arrows shown pointing outwardly indicate thedirection of reducing or releasing a gripping force when compression isapplied to at least a portion of the helix in the direction of the longaxis.

FIG. 7 depicts an embodiment of the holder holding an article. Thearticle in the embodiment is a lighter shown in dashed lines. Thelighter may be inserted through helix opening 5 (shown in FIG. 1). Thelighter may be inserted into the helix through the helix opening 5 intohelix interior 4. In some embodiments, the helix interior is capable ofat least partially conforming to the shape of the article. In someembodiments, the article may fill substantially all or all of the helixinterior 4.

The embodiment depicted in FIG. 7 has an end 6 adapted with a hole 7.Hole 7 may be used for fixing the holder to a person or object. A ringinserted through hole 7 attaches to fastener 12. Embodiments of theholder may be fixed to a person or object; meaning that some point alongthe holder is connected directly or indirectly to something or someonecapable of opposing a strain to the helix.

Still referring to FIG. 7 when the holder is fixed to a person or objectand oriented as shown in FIG. 7, the weight of the article may applysufficient strain to extend the helix sufficiently to cause the helix toexert a gripping force on the article. The embodiment in FIG. 7 may befixed to a person or object through fastener 13 connected to end 6through hole hole 7 and ring 12. Fastener 13 may oppose the straincreated by the weight of the article. The embodiment in FIG. 7, in suchorientation, may exert a gripping force on the lighter further securingthe lighter and providing easy access to the lighter.

As used herein, the term helix does not refer to any particular helixinterior shape and can include the interior shapes shown in FIG. 4, FIG.5, and FIGS. 6A and 6B. The embodiments in FIGS. 1-8 depict a helix thatis formed from a strip. A helix formed from a strip will have a helixinner surface, a helix outer surface. FIG. 1 depicts an embodiment withedges 11 formed at ninety-degree angles. The inner surface 2 is thesurface that may be capable of either (or both of) (a) at leastpartially conforming to the shape of an article, and (b) at leastpartially circumscribing an article.

The embodiment shown in FIG. 8 has a smooth, continuous surface with aportion 2 a facing the helix interior 4 a, and a portion 3 a facingoutside the helix. The embodiment has one or more rounded edges 11 a.The embodiment in FIG. 8 also shows a helix opening 5 a leading into thehelix interior 4 a, a first end 1 a, a second end 6 a, and at least oneturn 8 a. The embodiment in FIG. 8 has a helix long axis shown as 10 a.The second end 6 a is adapted with a hole 7 a as the fixing element toaid in fixing the holder to a person or object. The helix embodiment inFIG. 8 may have rounded edges 11, comprised of a continuous surface, aportion 2 a which faces the helix interior and a portion 3 a which facesthe helix exterior Other shapes may be contemplated without departingfrom the spirit of this disclosure.

The helix may be made of any material that can be shaped into a helixwhich may change dimension under strain or compressive force. In someembodiments, the helix is made of a material capable of conforming atleast partially to an article to be carried at least partially in thehelix interior. Embodiments may be made of one or more thermoplasticmaterials, elastomers, rubber, silicon polymers, plastic, and the likealone or in various combinations. In some embodiments, the helix iscomprised more generally of thermoplastic materials. Some embodimentsemploy one or more alloys of polyvinyl chloride; ethene,chloro-homopolymer and an acrylic-containing polymer (including acrylicacid derivatives). In other embodiments, the thermoplastic material iscomprised of polyvinyl chloride; ethene, chloro-homopolymer andchlorinated polyvinyl chloride. In a preferred embodiment, the helix iscomprised of KYDEX brand pellets or sheet material, which iscommercially available from Kydex, LLC (Bloomsburg, Pa.).

In some embodiments, at least a portion of the helix surface may exhibittack, blocking point or coefficient of friction properties with respectto the material comprising the article to be carried. The amount oftack, blocking point or coefficient of friction (if any) desired may bebalanced with how closely the helix is adapted to conform to the shapeof an article to be carried and the amount of gripping force the helixis capable of exerting upon the article to be carried. The less closelythe helix is adapted to conform to the shape of an article to becarried, or the lower the amount of gripping force the helix is capableof exerting on the article to be carried, the relatively higher either(or any of the) tack, blocking point or coefficient friction that may bedesired.

For example, the helix inside surface depicted in FIG. 1 may be adaptedto conform to an article to be carried so that the helix inside surface2 is in substantial contact with the article to be carried withoutapplication of a strain to the helix. In some embodiments, at least aportion of the helix surface may be in substantial contact with thearticle to be carried. This may be achieved when the helix interiorsubstantially conforms to the shape of the article. In some embodiments,there may be less or no such contact. For such latter embodiments, thehelix interior surface may have relatively higher tack, blocking pointor coefficient of friction properties with respect to the article to becarried.

Tack may be measured by ASTM D3121-06. The blocking point of thematerial comprising the helix with respect to the material comprisingthe article to be carried may be measured using ASTMD 1146-00. Thestatic coefficient of friction and kinetic coefficient of frictionbetween the material comprising the helix and the article to be carriedmay each be measured using ASTM D1894-11.

Blocking point may be defined as the adhesion between touching materialsunder moderate pressure. See, for example, George Wypich in Handbook ofAntiblocking, Release and Slip Additives Antislip and Release Properties(2005 ChemTree Publishing). Blocking point may characterized as noblocking, first degree (one sample clings to the other without damageupon release), second degree blocking (cling with surface damage uponseparation), third degree blocking, and any other type of blockingagreed upon as provided in ASTM D 1146-00.

In some embodiments described herein, the blocking point between thematerial comprising the helix and the article to be carried may be firstdegree blocking following the exertion of some gripping force upon thearticle to be carried by the holder. In other embodiments, there may beno blocking point under comparable conditions.

In some embodiments, the static coefficient of friction of the materialcomprising the helix and the article with respect to the materialcomprising the article to be carried may be at least 0.1 (unitlessmeasure under the ASTM measurement procedure). In various embodiments,the static coefficient of friction may be at least 0.1. All individualvalues and subranges from equal to or greater than 0.1 are includedherein and disclosed herein. For example, the static coefficient offriction may be equal to or greater than 0.10, or in the alternative,greater than or equal to 0.15, or in the alternative 0.20, or in thealternative, greater than or equal to 0.25, or in the alternative,greater than or equal to 0.30, or in the alternative, greater than orequal to 0.35, or in the alternative, greater than 0.40, or in thealternative greater than 0.45.

In some embodiments, the kinetic coefficient of friction of the materialcomprising the helix and the article with respect to the materialcomprising the article to be carried may be at least 0.10 (unitlessmeasure under the ASTM measurement procedure). In various embodiments,the kinetic coefficient of friction may be at least 0.10. All individualvalues and subranges from equal to or greater than 0.10 are includedherein and disclosed herein. For example, the kinetic coefficient offriction may be equal to or greater than 0.10, or in the alternative,greater than or equal to 0.15, or in the alternative equal to or greaterthan 0.20, or in the alternative, greater than or equal to 0.25, or inthe alternative, greater than or equal to 0.30, or in the alternative,greater than or equal to 0.35, or in the alternative, greater than 0.40,or in the alternative greater than 0.45.

The strain force or forces and compressive force or forces in thisdisclosure may be applied to or on one end, from both ends, or fromother locations on the helix. In some embodiments, one or more tabspositioned on the helix may facilitate the application of any of thecompressive force.

The holder may be fixed to a person or an object. The fixing need not bedirectly to the person or object. For example, fixing to a person may beby fixing to clothing worn by a person. Fixing to an object may be byfixing to a purse, a brief case or the like as may be taken from placeto place by a person.

The embodiment depicted in FIG. 1 has a hole 7 as a fixing element. Incontrast, the embodiments depicted in FIGS. 2-3 do not depict a hole asfixing element. In some embodiments, the fixing element for fixing theholder to a person or an object may be a hole 7 through which anyvariety of fastener (for example, 12 in FIG. 5) may be added. Otherfasteners include, for example, clips, clasps, spirals, rings, pins,safety pins, bands, loops, cords, leashes and strings.

In other embodiments, one or more ends of the helix may be adapted forfixing the holder on a person or an object. For example, one or moreends of the helix may be folded over so that the holder may be fixed ona person or an object by hanging or clipping over a person's clothingwaist band, purse or the like.

The holder may be made by any method. Some methods include forming,molding, thermoforming, extrusion, injection molding, andthree-dimensional printing.

WORKING EXAMPLE

The embodiments depicted in FIGS. 1-5 were made from KYDEX brand sheet,“Grade T” having a thickness of 0.060 inches and purchased from TexasKnife Maker Supply. The article to be carried in this example is a BICbrand mini-lighter.

The holder was formed by cutting a strip of the sheet materialapproximately three inches long, softening the strip by heating in anoven, and adapting the softened strip to conform to the shape of themini-lighter. Alternatively, a model of the article, a mold, or a formof the article to be carried can be used instead to adapt the softenedstrip to conform to the shape of the article to be carried.

A kitchen oven was pre-heated to 300 degrees Fahrenheit. The strip wasplaced on an inverted cookie sheet in the pre-heated oven. The stripchanged in appearance going from rigid to appearing soft and flexiblewithin about a ten minute period. Care was taken to ensure that thestrip did not bubble during the softening process.

The softened strip was removed from the oven and draped over themini-lighter. The softened strip was wrapped around the mini-lighter toform the helix. Rotating the lighter to help conform the strip to theshape of the lighter was helpful.

Before the strip was completely cooled, the end of the strip was formedto align with the center of the helix. A hole was punched in that end.The other end of the helix holder was left open to form the helixopening. The strip conformed to the shape of the lighter in the shape ofa helix holder was allowed to cool.

Upon cooing to room temperature, the mini-lighter was removed from theholder by compressing at least a portion of the helix in the directionof the long axis. This may be done by placing the fingers near twodifferent turns and squeezing or compressing turns closer together.Similarly, the holder could receive the mini-lighter again by the samecompression and inserting the mini-lighter through the helix opening andthen releasing the compression.

A connecting ring was inserted into the hole. A clasp was insertedthrough the ring. The holder with the lighter was fixed to a person'sbelt loop. The open end of the helix pointed downward orienting theclasp directly above the holder and lighter being held. The lighter didnot fall out of the holder and yet was within easy reach of the person'shands for removal from the holder by compression of at least a portionof the helix in the direction of the long axis (using the fingers).

While the foregoing describes various embodiments of a holder, other andfurther embodiments, may be devised without departing from the scope ofthis disclosure. The claims are not intended to be limited toembodiments, versions or examples described herein but rather to enablea person having ordinary skill in the art, in combination with theinformation and knowledge of a person of ordinary skill in the art tomake and use what is disclosed.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A holder comprising: a helix formed from anon-circular strip having a thickness, length and width, the helixhaving a first end, a second end, a surface, at least two turnsseparated from each other by a space wherein the turns are substantiallysimilar in arc, a long axis, an interior, an opening capable ofreceiving an article at least partially into the interior, wherein atleast a portion of the surface is capable of gripping the article whenstrain is applied to at least a portion of the helix in the direction ofthe long axis, the strain needed to cause a change in the length of thehelix is in the range of 0.1. psi and 0.9 psi, and at least a portion ofthe helix is capable of opposing the strain.
 2. A holder comprising: ahelix formed from a non-circular strip having a thickness, length andwidth, the helix having a first end, a second end, a surface, at leasttwo turns separated from each other by a space wherein the turns aresubstantially similar in arc, a long axis, an interior, an openingcapable of receiving an article at least partially into the interior,wherein at least a portion of the surface is capable of gripping thearticle when strain is applied to at least a portion of the helix in thedirection of the long axis, the strain needed to cause a change in thelength of the helix is in the range of 0.1 psi and 0.4 psi, and at leasta portion of the helix is capable of opposing the strain.
 3. A holdercomprising: a helix formed from a non-circular strip having a thickness,length and width, the helix having a first end, a second end, a surface,at least two turns separated from each other by a space wherein theturns are substantially similar in arc, a long axis, an interior, anopening capable of receiving an article at least partially into theinterior, wherein at least a portion of the surface is capable ofgripping the article when strain is applied to at least a portion of thehelix in the direction of the long axis, the strain needed to cause achange in the length of the helix is in the range of 0.1 psi and 0.2psi, and at least a portion of the helix is capable of opposing thestrain.